Capox and Chest Pains.

Hi Craig123 

I was on different chemo regime but did get very sharp chest pains intermittently. My oncologist mentioned very casually that this can be muscle damage from chemo.

So I ended up just lying back and tried hard to believe each episode would pass - luckily each time it did as they were quite scary.

Keep your oncologist up to date as they may need to tweak your treatment plan.

Hi Craig how scary for you. We didn't experience this side effect but I think it can cause heart issues so speak to your oncology nurse and team as soon as possible for advice about further treatment. You did the right thing going In and getting checked out but not really what you needed right now. 

Rest up and take care. 

Debs 

Hi DIFarmgirl,

Thanks for the message, yes it wasn’t the nicest of experiences.  Like I say I don’t tend to do things by halves and after experiencing a whole range of the side effects quite harshly I’ve been told to stop taking the Capecitabine tablets for now and have a meeting with my oncologist on Thursday.  I’ve been pretty much bed bound all week.  

I had just started to get some understanding of my bowel movements and this has completely thrown them into chaos.  From going probably 9 or 10 times a day I’ve struggled to go at all for several days so was advised to try Dulcoease today which I did and have since had several episodes of bad diarrhoea.  

I will see what my oncologist says but I’ve gone from someone who was already terribly anxious about the chemo but willing to give it a try to someone who is now exhausted and absolutely terrified of having any more. 

Thanks for this CrumpetsOrToast.  I’d say it’s reassuring to know I’m not the only one but I wouldn’t wish the feeling on anyone.  Glad they did pass for you.  I’ve had them sever times and have now been told to stop treatment for the time being at least.  The good news is that since I stopped I’ve only had the odd twinge as opposed to an overwhelming crushing pain where I couldn’t move.  I will see what the oncologist says when I meet with him on Thursday. 

I remember this so well with my husband we swung wildly from very loose to bunged up in a matter of hours sometimes. So difficult to manage and know when to take stuff to stop you go or make you go it was very stressful. Thankfully.once he stopped his treatment he has returned to normal.stoma output for him emptying about twice a day. 

He stopped after 3 rounds of capox and didn't have the last round as he was having a lot of nerve damage and the skin around  his stoma was breaking down. His oncologist explained that as they currently give the chemo in relation to your body mass because he is 6'2" and a bigger guy he had had a massive dose of the chemo even though his was a belt and braces, mopping up chemo regime so he recommended not giving the 4th cycle. 

So if your consultant thinks you have had enough they may be able to reduce the doses or cut the treatmnet short. It's a fine line between curing someone and giving them ongoing  life changing after effects like the neuropathy so just be honest about how it's affecting  you and take the advice of your team. 

Good luck hope you feel better soon. X